Sync considers a new installation like that as a "new device".

Account Name, Password, and your Sync Key (or Recovery Key) are needed to connect to the Sync server when adding a "new device".

Hmmm...that's what I thought. But FireFox gives me a new recovery key and then tells me it's wrong! Obviously I misunderstood how this works, or I would have saved the recovery key (which I didn't know about). How do I recover the sync key? I still have the sync password. Or are they the same?

Sorry, no one has the Sync Key except for you. It is used as an encryption key for your data as it is being uploaded to the Sync server and downloaded back to your device. If you didn't save that "key" before formatting your drive, don't have another device connected to Sync, and don't have a backup of your Firefox Profile, your data is not recoverable.

When you request a new Sync Key your data is erased from the Sync server.

Thanks. That's the end of my bookmarks then. It would have been good if FF had prompted me to save the sync key. It never mentioned it.

Sorry for your loss. Every time I have set up sync on a "new device" a small dialog window appeared with the Sync Key telling me to save that "Key" somewhere, and suggesting that I print it for safe keeping.

Didn't you backup any data on that computer before reformatting?

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox

OK, I'm working thru the same problem. Firefox did NOT ask me to save any key when I set up sync from my computer before I installed Win 7 (clean install). Win 7 did save a "Windows.old" folder for me. Would this key have been saved in one of the firefox folders there?

You can inspect the "Sync Key" on the computer where you installed Sync via "Tools > Options > Sync"

• Click the "Manage Account" button to display more options
• Click on the "My Sync Key" link to backup the current sync key

You can find the Password of the Sync account and the Sync Key in the password manager on computers where have setup that sync account with a specific e-mail address.

• Tools > Options > Security: Passwords: "Saved Passwords" > "Show Passwords"

Look for:

• chrome://weave (Mozilla Services Password)
• chrome://weave (Mozilla Services Encryption Passphrase)

Well, the computer I synced from was the one I upgraded to Win 7. It saved a "Windows Old" folder. Any chance I can find what I need there?

You would need the key3.db and signons.sqlite file from that old setup and place them in the Firefox Profile Folder.

You may want to try this in another profile or backup the current files, so you can restore currently stored password , before replacing the files in the current profile folder.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_Manager
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Managing+profiles

See:

• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Recovering+important+data+from+an+old+profile
• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Transferring_data_to_a_new_profile_-_Firefox

The "Application Data" folder in XP/Win2K and the "AppData" folder in Windows Vista and later Windows 7+ versions are hidden folders.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/Show_hidden_files_and_folders

Okay, I copied them over (after saving the old ones) after closing Firefox. When I opened firefox again, I can't find anything. What am I missing?

Is there a way to just read the password and enter it in the sync page?